Former Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback made his first start for the LSU Tigers in Saturday’s game against the Arkansas Razorbacks. He ultimately led the Tigers to a 23-22 win and snapped their three-game losing streak.
Van Buren played in place of injured fifth-year quarterback senior Garrett Nussmeier. Following LSU’s win, former Tigers’ star Breiden Fehoko gave Van Buren an edge over Nussmeier.
“I just watched multiple 3rd & longs for LSU today and Van Buren just gives that offense juice that Nuss can’t bring. The 3rd & 16 scramble, the mof throws. Yeah you can tell me it’s Arkansas but you all know deep down if 18 is the QB today we probably lose,” Fehoko tweeted.
I just watched multiple 3rd & longs for LSU today and Van Buren just gives that offense juice that Nuss can’t bring. The 3rd & 16 scramble, the mof throws. Yeah you can tell me it’s Arkansas but you all know deep down if 18 is the QB today we probably lose.
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) November 15, 2025
Van Buren was 21-of-31 for 221 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 36 yards. His ability to run helped, especially his 35-yard run in the fourth quarter as LSU kept the football for the last few minutes of the game.
Saturday’s win also marked LSU’s first win since firing Brian Kelly last month. As interim head coach Frank Wilson is now leading the Tigers, sports analyst Brian Holland had high praise for the whole squad after the Arkansas win.
“I don’t care what it looked like for LSU today. You won an SEC game, with a backup QB, season goals gone, lackluster environment vs a team that always targets this game. Michael Van Buren, Frank Wilson & this team deserves credit for having pride & character this week,” Holland tweeted.
I don’t care what it looked like for LSU today…
You won an SEC game, with a backup QB, season goals gone, lackluster environment vs a team that always targets this game.
Michael Van Buren, Frank Wilson & this team deserves credit for having pride & character this week.#LSU
— Brian Holland (@BHollandSports) November 15, 2025
With the Arkansas win, LSU has now improved to 6-4 in the 2025 season, including a 3-4 record in the Southeastern Conference.
Frank Wilson Shares How Michael Van Buren Decided to Burn His Redshirt and Take the Field
Van Buren could sit out the final four games to protect his redshirt year, or he could step in now and use the remaining stretch as an audition. Despite having the option to save a year of eligibility, he chose to play.
The sophomore quarterback jumped in. After LSU’s win over Arkansas, Wilson walked reporters through the conversation that led to this decision.
“When we talked about him playing, in his mind, he came here for an apprenticeship, to learn the offensive system, to be developed, to be the apparent the next year,” Wilson said. “We were willing to honor that. He said to me, ‘Things change.’ I said things have changed. What are your thoughts? He said, ‘Coach, I want to play.’ I want you to play if that’s what you want to do.”
Wilson then shared the pressure his young quarterback stepped into. He described the responsibility of leading LSU as “huge” while stating that Tiger Stadium demands both composure and courage.
“It’s a huge responsibility for the quarterback of the LSU Fighting Tigers to go into that arena,” Wilson added. “Our fans are the best in the world. Our fans can be tough sometimes as well. And so he knew what was in front of him.”
Saturday gave Van Buren a real opportunity to show what he could do. He handled the role effectively. Now, the plan remains for him to keep learning the system behind Nussmeier to compete for the starting job next season.
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